The day was pleasant, and he found a large crowd gathered in the grove, where merriment reigned supreme. A stranger among strangers, he held aloof from the rest, until he was both surprised and pleased to see Rob, Tom and Jerry there. “Hello!” greeted the first, “you didn’t say you were coming over here.” “Neither did you,” replied Larry. “Say, Rob, don’t Larry look fine in his new clothes? Where’d you get ’em, Larry?” “Bought them with money of my own earning,” retorted Larry, who was not disposed to do much talking even with his friends. The truth was, he had been on the watch for Lucy and Pluto Snyder, but they had not appeared, though it was already past the time set for the speaking, and he knew they were waiting for the “orator” up at the grand stand. Then he saw Mr. Howlitt arrive, and Lucy was with him, so that his wonder increased. He was about to go and speak to her, when Job touched him on the arm, saying, in a low voice: “They want you up to the spouter’s stand.” Larry was not more surprised at the words than he was to find that Job was present, as he had not expected him to come. “What do you mean, Job?” “Jess what I say, Larry. Pluck Snyder sent word by me that he can’t be here to-day, and he wants you to orate his speech fer him.” CHAPTER XXIII. “STOP! THAT’S MY ORATION!” To explain the appearance of Rob at the Fourth of July celebration in Gainsboro, we shall have to go back to his meeting with the masked men on the summit of “Flying Jump,” where we left him just as he had flung aside two of his assailants to be fired on by others in concealment. Knowing from the sounds that two or three were coming to the assistance of the two men he had for the moment baffled in their attack, Little Hickory felt that his only way of escape lay in flight. Thus he quickly sprang into the saddle of his bicycle, and just as the men in front recovered enough to renew their assault and those in the bushes burst into sight, he started down the steep grade at a tremendous velocity. “Hi, there! hold up or we will shoot ye!” cried the leader of the party. But nothing was farther from the purpose of Little Hickory, even had it been possible for him to check his headlong flight at this juncture without deadly peril to himself. The road was strewn with loose rocks and rent with deep gullies at places, but despite the awful peril constantly menacing his progress, he kept on down “Flying Jump” at a rate of speed in keeping with its name. Two of his enemies sent shots after him, but they flew over his head harmlessly, and the entire party stood as if riveted to their tracks, while they watched the flight of their intended victim, expecting every moment to see him flung head first upon the rocks, where he would be an easy prey to them.